Buffy wasn't a good show for the first half of season 2. Season 3 was much more consistent

I was just wondering if there was any cross-pollination with Vic's evil hand from gurm. Lindsey's finest hour

Season three is the best, and the Holtz arc culminating from Lullaby through the three episode powerhouse of Loyalty through Forgiveness is the best stretch of the series (season two had a great arc too, but Plz Grb seemed like a weird side-trip)